Pages

Sunday, October 30, 2011

A convert to new/old ways

Just a little over a year ago, a wonderful talented man and great friend succumbed to cancer. Several months after he passed away, his lovely wife was talking about cleaning out the closets and giving his clothes away. I quickly suggested that she save them for a bit longer and offered to use them in making quilts from them to give to their grandchildren. Fast forward a few more months and I sent a "subtle" email link to Nifty's post regarding this same subject. Upon seeing how this could be accomplished, my dear friend as well as her daughter, were ready to jump on board with this idea. Neither of them had ever made a quilt, but were quite eager to learn more. And why not start out simple with the no rules approach, a la 15 Minutes Play. Yesterday afternoon, we cut up dozens of shirts and started making "new" fabric out of them. By dinner time, after much laughter and tears, it seems "we" have a new convert, as my friend stated, "this is really addicting! It is instant gratification".

Thinking ahead, just a bit my friend thought of using his khaki slacks as borders for the blocks

Audition on a khaki fabric

Or then, another thought, using some his black linens slacks for the connecting strips.

audition on black fabric

We have lots and lots more clothing and countless ideas for more quilts. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Yes, it's addicting and gratifying indeed! I, too, was inspired by Nifty to recycle my late husband's clothing but have not begun this yet. Now I can add your designs to my list of possibilities. Keep posting!

Quilts from clothing are such a perfect way to keep your loved one's arms wrapped around you.I recently began projects with my parents shirts -- my Dad is gone, Mom has Alzheimer's -- but I can't work on them for very long at a time. For some reason, cutting the buttons from the shirts really got to me.

Make Fabric!

Have you made a project using my book as inspiration? Please email me your quilt to share and inspire others!

infovfwquilts at gmail dot com

*Be the fabric designer you always wanted to be! Starting with scraps build your fabric into a larger usage piece of fabric, like yardage, and then cut apart, design, and build improvisation-ally to make the most unique and beautiful quilts!

All through PLAY!!

Trying new techniques, new tools, new color combos, new fabrics! Playing leads to new and exciting ideas and boosts your Creativity!